Cigarette filter

Abstract

A filter for a cigarette includes a porour filter rod circumscribed by a non-porous or smoke impervious wrapper wherein the filter rod with the non-porous wrapper therearound is provided with grooves extending from one end thereof a preselected distance longitudinally therealong. Tipping material circumscribes the non-porous wrapper and is provided with flow-through openings therein in flow communication with the grooves. The grooves may be oriented to extend to the mouth end of the filter when connected to a cigarette, to the tobacco end of the filter when connected to the cigarette, or non-connecting grooves which extend from each end of the filter element a preselected distance therealong.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A filter for a cigarette comprising: A porous filter rod of cylindrical configuration;   A smoke impervious wrapper extending longitudinally along said rod from one end thereof and circumscribing said rod leaving flow-through apposed ends of said rod, said wrapper having a plurality of longitudinally extending grooves circumferentially spaced therearound embedded into the filter rod and that portion of the wrapper defining the grooves remaining smoke impervious, said grooves being open ended at and extending from one of said ends a distance less than the length of the filter rod; and,   tipping material extending longitudinally of and circumscribing said wrapper, said tipping material being air pervious and permitting ventilating air flow there through into said grooves, said ventilating air being the only fluid flowing through said groove when the filter is used in combination with a cigarette during normal smoke draw.   
     
     
       2. The filter of claim 1 in combination with a cigarette, said grooves of said filter being in flow-communication with said cigarette. 
     
     
       3. The filter of claim 1 in combination with a cigarette, said grooves of said filter being in flow-communication with a smoker's mouth. 
     
     
       4. The filter of claim 1 wherein said tipping material is applied directly to the surface of said wrapper. 
     
     
       5. The filter of claim 1 wherein said tipping is impervious to air, said tipping material having selective perforations therein in flow-communication with said grooves. 
     
     
       6. The filter of claim 1, said grooves being disposed at an angle around said filter rod. 
     
     
       7. The filter of claim 1 including a circumferentially extending groove in flow-communication with said longitudinally extending grooves, said circumferentially extending groove being in alignment with said flow-through opening in said tipping material. 
     
     
       8. The filter of claim 1, said grooves extending from both ends a preselected distance therealong, said grooves being non-connectable. 
     
     
       9. The filter of claim 1, said smoke impervious wrapper being integral with said porous filter rod.